With fall camp just around the corner, the Florida State Seminoles are looking to win back-to-back ACC championships in 2024 and have a shot at a College Football Playoff appearance after missing out last season. While there are many new faces on the roster, with more than 10 players from last year's team leaving for the NFL, there is still plenty of talent on this year's squad. The transfer portal has helped replenish the defensive line, paving the way for the recruiting and development of high school players to take hold in head coach Mike Norvell's fifth year at the helm.
READ MORE: Off-field recruiting staff leaves FSU football
NoleGameday will be breaking down each position group in depth to get an inside look at how the team will play out as the season rapidly approaches, and the focus will shift to a defensive end unit that will be without one of their stars, Jared Verse.
— Patrick Payton, redshirt junior
Payton, the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, has developed into one of the nation's best pass rushers. He started all 14 games last season and recorded 44 tackles, 14.5 for loss, seven sacks, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Payton led the team in tackles for loss in 2023 and will be a key component of defensive coordinator Adam Fuller's defense. The team will need an experienced, talented veteran to help the rookies adjust to a new scheme.
Marvin Jones Jr.
The Seminoles look to strike gold again with the addition of Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. The last two defensive ends to transfer, Jared Verss and Jermaine Johnson II, were both first-round draft picks, and Jones Jr. could be the next pick. He spent two seasons at Georgia, playing in 25 games and starting one despite struggling with injuries early on. The former five-star recruit was the No. 2 defensive end in the country coming out of high school and was the No. 5 transfer last cycle. He should pair well with Payton off the edge. During his time in Athens, Georgia, he recorded 16 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, and unless he gets injured again, his production should improve significantly in Tallahassee.
— Sione Lolohea, redshirt senior
Lolohea transferred from Oregon State in the offseason in exchange for quarterback DJ Uiagalelei from the Beavers. He was named to the All-Pac-12 second team in 2023 after recording a career-high 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was tied for second on the team in tackles for loss. In his four years at Oregon State, he played in 40 games, started 22 times and recorded 88 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He will be a part of the rotation and bring a wealth of experience to the team.
— Tomiwa Durojaiye, redshirt sophomore
Durojaiye, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to FSU from West Virginia after spending his freshman year at Kentucky. Durojaiye is coming off a breakout season in 2023, recording 23 tackles, 3.5 sacks and six for loss. He was second on the Mountaineers in sacks. The Philadelphia native could be a valuable addition if he can bring some consistency to his game.
— Byron Turner Jr., redshirt junior
In 2023, Turner appeared in 13 games, started one, recorded 26 tackles (two tackles for loss, one sack) and four quarterback hurries. He gained seven pounds in the offseason and has significantly improved his pass rushing ability. He is likely to finish in the top three behind Payton and Lolo Hae.
— Aaron Hester, redshirt sophomore
Hester lost six pounds prior to spring camp and could be a part of the rotation heading into his junior year at FSU. He has played in four total games and recorded two tackles. The former three-star prospect out of Neptune Beach, Fla., will redshirt in 2022 and appeared in last season's 58-13 win over North Alabama.
— Lamont Green Jr., redshirt freshman
Another legendary player, Green Jr., is redshirting in 2023. He was a highly-anticipated four-star prospect out of Miami, Florida. He spent last year mostly on the scout team and battling injuries, but looks to be fully healthy heading into fall camp. He also played in the win over North Alabama and should take a big step forward in the fall.
— D.D. Holmes, Freshman
Holmes is a former four-star prospect who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 250 pounds out of Washington, D.C. As a senior, he recorded 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception at Gonzaga. We'll know more about his development during fall camp, but his high athleticism and physicality should help him grow faster.
— Amalie Williams, Freshman
As a four-star prospect, Williams reclassified as a member of the Tribe 24. He was the seventh-best player in his class according to 247Sports, recording 34 tackles, eight for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception, while also recording 16 receptions for 424 yards and seven touchdowns on the other end of the pass. Along with the other freshman signees, he will begin to carve his way in the Seminole defense during fall camp.
Who will step up and take on the role of Jared Barth?
FSU knows what Payton is capable of, but the biggest question is who will line up on the other side of the ball, and Florida State has made a name for itself in the transfer portal, especially as a defensive end, so the obvious choice would be Jones Jr., who has performed well, especially in spring training. It will be hard to find a replacement for such a talented player, but Jones Jr. and the other depth they have built should bolster that side of the defense.
— Patrick Payton
As mentioned above, the Seminoles need players in their locker room with college-level experience as well as players familiar with the defensive schemes that Fuller and defensive ends coach John Papuchis will run. They've acquired some serious talent and would certainly provide leadership, but entering fall camp, Payton fits the bill.
There shouldn't be too much of a drop-off at the defensive end as he's clearly the standout player alongside Jones Jr. Payton has developed throughout his career in Tallahassee and has a voice that is heard both on the field and in the locker room.
Defensive End
1. Patrick Payton, RS Jr.
2. Byron Turner Jr., RS Jr.
Defensive End
1. Marvin Jones Jr.
2. Sione Lolohea, RS Sr.
Fall camp will be a test of the defensive line, especially the defensive ends. FSU knows what Payton is capable of, and the freshmen and transfers will have a chance to become more familiar with the playbook. It will be interesting to see how Turner Jr. develops over the summer and how the rest of the roster develops.
With over 130 games under their belts this season, the defensive ends certainly have experience, and using that experience will be key throughout fall training camp. Both Lolohea and Durojaiye had productive springs and should continue their momentum into fall training camp.
Keep an eye out for new players as the fall progresses and we head into the Week 0 matchup against Georgia Tech on August 24th.
READ MORE: FSU Football vs. Clemson Rivalry Named Top College Football Revenge Game of 2024
continue No Game Day We'll bring you the latest on Florida State football throughout the offseason.
Follow NoleGameday twitter, Facebook, Instagram, andTick tock
• FSU football tight end named a “must watch” freshman for the 2024 season
• Four-star wide receiver CJ Wiley chooses FSU football over Georgia Bulldogs
• Long-time blue chip wide receiver commits to Florida Gators over FSU football
• Doak Campbell Stadium ranked among the top 10 toughest places to play in college football
